US elections: Pennsylvania emerges as must-win for both Harris, Trump

Pennsylvania offers 19 electoral college votes, while California holds 54 and Texas has 40.

Pennsylvania is again centre stage in American politics. The state, historically significant in the War of Independence, is now pivotal in the 2024 presidential race. Political analysts predict a nail-biting contest between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump.

To win the presidency, candidates need 270 electoral college votes. Each of the 50 states contributes a different number of votes. Pennsylvania offers 19 electoral college votes, while California holds 54 and Texas has 40.

Analysts have mostly predicted electoral outcomes based on previous voting trends, except for seven battleground states. These are Nevada (six votes), Arizona (11), Wisconsin (10), Michigan (15), Pennsylvania (19), Georgia (16), and North Carolina (16).

The shifting political landscape makes Pennsylvania a must-win for both candidates. Thousands of volunteers from Harris and Trump’s campaigns are mobilising in this critical state to sway voters.

According to The Hill’s Decision Desk HQ, "Neither candidate can reach 270 electoral votes without winning Pennsylvania, which is currently a dead tie." The respected site 270towin.com predicts 226 electoral votes for Harris and 219 for Trump.

NBC News describes Pennsylvania as the most crucial battleground in the election. Trump won the state by less than one percentage point in 2016 and lost it by a similar margin in 2020. Harris remains competitive, and experts classify the state as a "toss-up."

Both candidates are investing significant resources in Pennsylvania, waging an extensive advertising campaign. The New York Times notes they are “pouring more money, time, and energy into Pennsylvania than anywhere else.”

There are seven main battlegrounds in this race, but Pennsylvania stands out. Both candidates view it as essential to securing the election. The Daily reports that reaching 270 electoral votes without Pennsylvania is daunting for both candidates.

The Democratic National Finance Committee recently concluded that Harris has no path to victory without Pennsylvania. Trump’s campaign holds a similar belief.

The Democrats aim to reclaim the Blue Wall, which includes Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Trump won all three states in 2016 and is putting up a strong fight against Harris.

PBS News highlights that both campaigns see the state’s 19 electoral votes as critical. The results could also impact control of Capitol Hill.

On Sunday, Trump’s campaign announced a Bus Tour in Pennsylvania starting October 21. Prominent figures, including Indian American Kash Patel, will participate.

Both campaigns have saturated Pennsylvania recently, with about 50 appearances in the past three months. This is the highest total for any swing state.

Financially, the campaigns are heavily investing in Pennsylvania. From September 1 to 20, one out of every four dollars spent on ads in the presidential race was used in this state.

In a lighthearted moment, Trump donned a McDonald’s uniform and worked the fry station at a Pennsylvania franchise. This gesture illustrates the candidates' commitment to connecting with local voters in this key battleground.